MANY racing fans have been a bit unfair to amateur rider Sam Waley-Cohen – despite some very good wins on Long Run.

But the jockey was full of praise for his dad's animal yesterday after he battled on well to beat Captain Chris and regain the King George VI Chase at Kempton.

Long Run, the 15-8 favourite and trained by Nicky Henderson, looked beaten on the run to the line.

But he responded to Waley-Cohen's urging to get up by a neck.

The winning rider said: "He was so brave. I had to keep asking him – I asked him early and maybe I asked too much as he was tired but so brave.

"This is his fifth year of competing at this level and he means an enormous amount to us.

"That was racing at its best for me. I can't put it into words. It's an honour and a privilege."

Owner Robert Waley-Cohen claimed: "He's come here four times now and won three Grade Ones and been second to Kauto Star.

"I wasn't sure that we had got back up, but as I came down the stairs from the stand, I saw his name go up and that was fantastic."

Henderson was also thrilled to see his former Cheltenham Gold Cup victor return to winning form.

He said: "It was a brave call to go on when he did and it was the right call to make.

"It was a battle out there and not the best ground for any of them. He's young, but has been doing everything right.

"You would have to say last year was a disappointment, but he's been running good races all the time."

The trainer continued: "I'd really love to see Long Run back on better ground and I'm so pleased Sam and the horse have proved a point to people here."